NBA TV's OPEN COURT to Continue Tomorrow, 10/29

NBA TV's critically acclaimed Open Court series will continue Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 5 p.m. ET with the collection of TNT and NBA TV analysts and special guests previewing the top storylines for this year and assessing how last year's injuries and missed opportunities impact the season ahead.

The panel is hosted by Sports Emmy Award winner Ernie Johnson with Hall of Famer Charles Barkley and NBA Champions Rick Fox, Steve Kerr, Kenny Smith and Steve Smith. Additionally, Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins and seven-time NBA All-Star Tracy McGrady are guests on this week's show.

The episode, which leads into the NBA's opening night, takes a look at some of the biggest storylines for the upcoming season, including the return of Derrick Rose and Kobe Bryant from injury, the Miami Heat's prospects of reaching a fourth straight NBA Finals, the 13 new head coaches, including Jason Kidd and Doc Rivers, along with the impact that Dwight Howard's arrival in Houston will have on the Western Conference.

Excerpts from the upcoming Open Court episode:

Tracy McGrady on how close the San Antonio Spurs were to winning the NBA title last season: "I've never been that deep in the playoffs. So, 28 seconds, up five, I was tasting the champagne, I was tasting it. I was trying to decide, how will I celebrate?"

Kenny Smith on the prospects of the Miami Heat winning a third consecutive championship: "I think this will be the first year that they'll have three [competitive] series to get to the NBA Finals...I don't think they've ever had three tough series in a row. The East is so much deeper now. Add New York into that. That will be the difference [for the Heat], breaking down, mental fatigue, physical fatigue, going to the Finals three straight years."

Charles Barkley on Dwight Howard and the influence of Kevin McHale: "The best player I ever played against was Kevin McHale. I think Dwight Howard, we've talked about it, he's probably 60 percent of the player that he could be. And I think, getting a chance to work with Kevin McHale every day is going to be the best thing to ever happen to him."

Steve Kerr on Brian Shaw taking over in Denver: "I think he has the hardest job of the 13 [new head coaches this season]. I really do, because he's replacing George Karl, who's done an incredible job. They won 50-plus games the past few years. I think the hardest thing in coaching is to take over a successful team. You take over a bad team, everybody is Looking for change; take over a successful team, all the players are like, 'well, why would we change what we've been doing?' So, he's got a tough job."

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